Turk’s Seafood Expanding with Exciting “Culinary Lab” in Former Rustico

Turk's Seafood is officially expanding its footprint in Mattapoisett after buying the former Rustico location on Route 6, directly across the street from the longtime seafood spot.

Owner Richard Pasquil said the plan is not to open another restaurant there. Instead, Turk's is turning the building into a dedicated catering and menu development space, which should make the business run smoother and take pressure off the main kitchen.

It will be operating under the name "Turk's Test Kitchen Catering & Culinary Lab."

“Basically, it is going to be a catering kitchen,” Pasquil said. He added that the property has room for two catering kitchens, giving Turk's space it has never really had before.

READ MORE: Mattapoisett's Rustico Closing Its Doors

The big idea is to build a separate catering team so catering events do not pile more work onto the current Turk's staff, especially during the busy months. For customers, it should mean booking Turk's for an event becomes easier and more consistent.

Mattapoisett Has a New Collab Kitchen for Fresh Ideas

Pasquil also described the new spot as a collab kitchen, where a group of experienced culinary pros, including retired chefs and longtime caterers, can get creative and test new ideas. Some of those ideas could eventually end up on the Turk's menu. Others could stay catering only. Either way, he sees it as a behind the scenes place to dream up new things without disrupting day-to-day service across the street.

READ MORE: Meet the "Turk" From Turk's Seafood

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Turk's Products May Be Coming to Local Markets

There is also potential for Turk's to grow its brand in another way, with products that could eventually show up in local markets and specialty grocery stores. Pasquil said the team could develop items meant specifically for retail, which would allow Turk's to expand without trying to stretch its labor force too thin.

READ MORE: What the SouthCoast Is Waiting For in 2026

The purchase was made with Aaron and Kaylen Duquette, who are in the process of buying into Turk's Seafood and represent the next generation of ownership. Pasquil said none of this will happen overnight, but he hopes to have things moving by the summer, and he said the property has plenty of longterm potential.